1. Gary Bond is known for originating the role of Joseph in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, his performances in several high-profile West End plays and musicals, and his portrayal of protagonist John Grant in the Australian film Wake in Fright.
Gary Bond was born into a family in which the army was the destined career for any family member, with his father and numerous uncles being in the army.
Gary Bond was educated in Churcher's College in Petersfield and later Portsmouth College of Technology.
Gary Bond's father died in December 1956 when Bond was aged just 16 and, as a result, the young Bond was able to pursue his preferred path without any interference by family members.
At the age of 23, Gary Bond gained his first acting job with the Connaught Theatre, Worthing.
In 1968, Gary Bond was invited to join the Prospect Theatre Company, where he, relishing the opportunity to appear in classical roles, appeared in numerous productions including, Sebastian in Twelfth Night, Sergius in Shaw's Arms and the Man and No Man's Land.
Gary Bond later joined the London production at the Albery Theatre to great acclaim.
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote a song for Gary Bond titled "Disillusion Me", which he recorded as a single.
Gary Bond played opposite Ralph Richardson in Alice's Boys and in Noel Coward's Tonight at Eight, in which he co-starred with Millicent Martin.
Gary Bond joined seasons at the Chichester Festival Theatre and the Bristol Old Vic, including a production of Old Flames which transferred to the Arts Theatre.
Gary Bond played Brutus in Julius Caesar and starred in the world premiere of Jean Anouilh's play Scenario in Canada.
Gary Bond played Otto in Noel Coward's Design for Living in 1982, performed in State of Affairs in 1983, appeared opposite Keith Michell in The Baccarat Scandal 1988, and in 1992 was the Count in a revival of Jean Anouilh's The Rehearsal.
Gary Bond made his professional screen debut in 1963, in a BBC production of War and Peace.
Gary Bond appeared in Variation on a Theme, as Boswell in The Highland Jaunt, starred in the series Frontier, The Linden Tree, Affairs of the Heart, Wings of Song and a recorded version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Gary Bond had cameos in Z-Cars, The Avengers, The Main Chance, Hart to Hart and a major role in "All the sad songs" - an episode of Bergerac.
Gary Bond started shooting in January 1970 in the mining town of Broken Hill, New South Wales.
Gary Bond dyed his hair blonde for the part; as a result comparisons were made between him and Peter O'Toole.
In Garry O'Connor's 2019 biography of Ian McKellen, he mentions that the two were in a relationship early in both of their careers, but it came to an end in 1972 when Gary Bond was about to open in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Gary Bond was part of one of the first relatively out [gay] couples with Jeremy Brett, but theirs was an on-off liaison which lasted for years.
Gary Bond was irresistible, with an easy warmth of manner, wonderful humour and sometimes a wicked sense of fun.
One Saturday afternoon between performances, Gary Bond came to my apartment for a drink and a snack.
Gary Bond died of AIDS related causes on 12 October 1995 in Ealing Hospital at the age of 55.